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2007 High School Football Playoffs: Potomac (VA) Defeats Fauquier 17-7 |
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Written by Wendall Stevens
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Saturday, 17 November 2007 |
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The Potomac Panthers of Dumfries (VA) sported a 10-0 record going into last night’s game and have outclassed opponents all season with four big playmakers on offense and defense. Mulku Kalokah, Darius Brent, Adbul Kanneh and Abass Conteh have collectively overwhelmed opponents with their explosiveness and instincts.
As Potomac entered the first game of the playoffs against the Fauquier Falcon, the Panther playmakers would have to continue their excellence in order for advance. On a chilly fall Friday night at Coles Stadium in Dumfries, VA it turned out the Panthers were indeed too hot to handle.
Potomac received the opening kickoff and started on offense but Kalokah fumbled and Fauquier took over on the Panther 35. Fauquier as it turns out had a few playmakers of their own. Falcon quarterback junior Kyle Neumann was very impressive all game. Neumann completed a pass to another impressive athlete in 6' 4" wide receiver David Lewis.
The story of the game for Potomac was their big time playmakers. Panther free safetyAdbul Kanneh intercepted a Neumann pass at the 16. All game long, the Panthers wouldmake big plays on defense to thwart Fauquier drives.
The Panthers drive stalled after Kanneh's interception but they set the tone of the game with their rushing attack. Mulku Kalokah and Darius Brent were the one- two punch who together controlled the clock and the game. Ultimately the keys to the game were the Panthers ability to make big plays in critical situations and the Falcons’ inability to rush the ball to offset their solid passing game.
Taking over on their own 10 yard line after a 50 yard Potomac punt, Neumann proceeded to move his team down the field with a 25 yard pass to David Lewis and a 30 yard pass to Walter Davis. After a Falcon penalty, Kalokah picked off a Neumann pass to halt the drive.
Taking over on their own 35, Potomac grinded the ball down the field primarily on the running and receiving of Brent and Kalokah who both accounted for over 50 yards on the drive. Panther quarterback DeAirius Thomas went in from the one yard line for the touchdown. Eric Dobratz made the conversion attempt. The score was 7-0 late in the first quarter.
Fauquer's Brandon Thompson started off the second quarter with a 50 yard kickoff return.The Falcons couldn't cash in the chips as Potomac's Teyon Pressley sacked Neumann and the Panthers took over on downs.
Midway in the second quarter Potomac took over after both teams exchanged possessions and drove 70 yards on eight plays that culminated in Mulku Kalokah catching a 5 yard touchdown pass from DeAirius Thomas. The big plays on the drive were two big runs by Mulku Kalokah of 13 and 15 yards along with Darius Brent's 15 yard burst. A face mask penalty on Fauquier gave the Panthers 15 additional yards as well. After an Eric Dobratz conversion the score was 14-0 Potomac.
Before the first half ended, Potomac, set to punt, faked it and instead threw a pass to Abdul Kanneh, who was hit causing a fumble. Fauquier took over. Kyle Neumann and David Lewis hooked up on a 60 yard catch and run to the Potomac 33. Neumann then threw quick strikes to Walter Davis and Aubrey McLean to get to the Panther 3 yard line. Again, Potomac's defense held in the red zone as Neumann threw three straight incomplete passes.
In the fourth quarter, Potomac drove the ball again down to the Falcons 7 yard line but couldn't punch in the touchdown. Dobratz kicked a 17 yard field goal with 6:04 remaining on the clock to give Potomac a 17-0 lead.
The Falcons did manage to get a late touchdown as newly inserted quarterback Ryan Stevens, who replaced injured quarterback Kyle Neumann, threw a 20 yard touchdown pass to David Lewis in the end zone. The late drive went 55 yards in 2 minutes.
Potomac advances to play GW-Danville, who defeated Brooke Point.
Head Coach Tony Lilly said afterwards, "The team played well. I'm proud of our guys. Fauquier is a good team. They're 8-2 coming into this game. They're a fine team. My hats off to them" "We stayed with our game plan. We tried to keep them off balance by throwing because they were loading up the box. Darius and Mulku took turns running which worked out well”, Lilly added.
When asked how he adjusted to the Falcon’s passing game coach explained, "We started mixing coverages. We didn't want him (Neumann) to get his feet set. We noticed he wasn't as effective throwing when his feet were moving."
Potomac's Mulku Kalokah said after the game "We're taking this one game at a time but we still didn't play up to the best of our abilities."
"We were practicing coverages all week preparing for this game. We did what we were supposed to do overall but we can play better”, said Potomac’s Abdul Kanneh
Keep logging onto www.dcmetrosports.com as we get knee deep into the high school football playoffs.
For high school football images go to www.dcmetrosports.com/prepsportgallery
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